Presentation of the country
Germany

The education system

National characteristics of the education system

In the Federal Republic of Germany, responsibility for the education system is shared between the Federation and the Länder. The scope of the federal government’s powers in the field of education is defined in the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). Unless the Basic Law grants legislative powers to the Federation, the Länder have the right to legislate. Within the education system, this applies to the school sector, the higher education sector, adult education and continuing education. The administration of the education system in these areas is almost exclusively the responsibility of the Länder.

In addition to the division of powers described above, the Basic Law also provides for special forms of cooperation between the Federation and the Länder within the framework of so-called joint tasks (Gemeinschaftsaufgaben).
Early childhood education and care are not part of the state school system in Germany, but are almost exclusively assigned to the child and youth care sector. At federal level, responsibility for public welfare lies with the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend – BMFSFJ); at Länder level, the Ministries for Youth and Social Affairs and, in some cases, also the Ministries for Education and Cultural Affairs, are the competent authorities.
After primary school, after the 4th year (in Berlin and Brandenburg after the 6th year), a first division in the Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium educational pathways takes place. Vocational education and training takes place in the dual system. Training takes place in two places: the workplace and a Berufsschule (vocational school).

Organisation of the education system

Early childhood education and childcare services

Early childhood education is provided by institutions that look after children up to the age of six, at which point pupils usually start school. School-age children who have not yet reached a sufficient level of development to attend school have another option in some Länder, namely Schulkindergärten and Vorklassen. These institutions are either allocated to the early years or primary sector, depending on the Land concerned.

Compulsory education

As a general rule, compulsory education begins for all children in the Federal Republic of Germany in the year in which they reach the age of six and lasts for nine years on a full-time basis. Young people who do not attend a full-time general school or upper secondary vocational school after completing their compulsory general schooling must continue to attend part-time education (Berufsschulpflicht – compulsory Berufsschule). This usually lasts three years.

Primary school education

As a general rule, children are obliged to attend primary school the year they reach the age of six. All pupils in Germany enter Grundschule, which in almost all Länder covers grades 1 to 4 (in Berlin and Brandenburg grades 1 to 6).

Secondary school education

After primary school education, secondary school education in the Länder is characterised by the division into different courses of study with their respective school-leaving certificates and diplomas, for which different types of schools are responsible. Once pupils have completed compulsory schooling, they enter upper secondary education. The range of education on offer includes general education and full-time vocational schools, as well as vocational training under the dual system.
In schools offering a single course of study, all teaching is channelled towards a specific qualification. These are traditionally Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium. Schularten mit mehreren Bildungsgängen (schools offering more than one type of course) bring together two or three courses under one roof.
For pupils with sonderpädagogischer Förderbedarf (special educational needs), various types of sonderpädagogische Bildungseinrichtungen (special schools) have also been set up within the organisational framework of general and vocational education.
Once pupils have completed compulsory education – generally when they reach the age of 15 – they enter upper secondary education. The type of school enrolled depends on the qualifications and rights obtained at the end of lower secondary education. The range of education on offer includes general education and full-time vocational schools, as well as vocational education and training under the dual system.

Higher education

The tertiary sector includes higher education establishments (universities, Fachhochschulen, art and music colleges) and other establishments offering courses of study leading to a profession to students who have completed upper secondary education and obtained a diploma giving access to higher education.
In addition, there are a number of specialist higher education institutions which only admit certain groups, for example the higher education institutions of the Federal Armed Forces and the Verwaltungsfachhochschulen, and which are not considered below.
Those with a higher education qualification may also choose to enter a Berufsakademie offered by some Länder as an alternative to higher education. In state-recognised or state-approved Studienakademien (educational establishments) and in companies, students receive academic training but, at the same time, practical vocational training.
Fachschulen and Fachakademien in Bavaria are institutions for continuing vocational education and training that generally require appropriate vocational training in an anerkannter Ausbildungsberuf (recognised occupation requiring formal training) and appropriate employment. The level of qualification achieved here is comparable to the first level of the tertiary sector according to the International Standard Classification of Education ISCED.

Adult education and lifelong learning
The state’s activities in the field of continuing education are essentially limited to defining principles and establishing regulations for organization and financing. These principles and regulations are enshrined in federal and state legislation. State regulations aim to establish the general conditions for the optimum development of the contribution of continuing education to lifelong learning.
In the context of lifelong learning, continuing education is becoming increasingly important as a training area in its own right. A differentiated structure has been put in place to meet the wide variety of requirements for continuing education. Continuing education is provided by municipal institutions, in particular Volkshochschulen, as well as by private institutions, religious institutions, trade unions, various chambers of commerce and industry, political parties and associations, companies and public authorities, family training centers, academies, Fachschulen, higher education and distance learning establishments. Radio and television companies also offer continuing education programs.

For Further Information

• Euronews – L’éducation en Allemagne : plusieurs systèmes, un seul objectif
• Les particularités du système éducatif allemand
• Guide pratique pour les jeunes qui arrivent en Allemagne
• Willkommensklassen – classes de bienvenue